Hair Colorant Container in the Form of a Flexible Sachet

ABSTRACT

A hair colorant container in the form of a flexible sachet having a laminate structure for storing a hair colorant component comprises:
         a reservoir with an internal volume for storing the hair colorant component,   a pouring spout being in fluid communication with the internal volume and having an dispensing end for dispensing the hair colorant component,   the pouring spout being integrally formed with the reservoir and projecting from an upper side of the reservoir and having an elongated shape with a width being smaller than the width of the reservoir, and   a removable tear tab at the dispensing end for sealing the container before the container has been opened.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, a hair colorant container in the form of a flexiblesachet having a laminate structure for storing a hair colorant componentis provided.

In a second aspect, a packaged hair colorant product comprising such ahair colorant container and a hair colorant component stored in theinternal volume of the reservoir of the container is provided.

In a third aspect, a package kit for providing a ready to use hair colorproduct comprising a hair colorant container as a first packagecontaining a hair dye component and a second package, preferably abottle or a hair colorant container containing a developer componentcomprising an oxidizing agent is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Colorant products for oxidative dyeing keratin fibers, like hair, areusually provided using a package kit comprising a hair dye component anda developer component with an oxidizing agent. The hair dye component,the developer component as well as ready to use “direct-dyes” arehereinafter collectively referred to as “hair colorant components”. Thehair dye component typically in the form of a sticky cream is stored inan aluminium tube or in a plastic bottle, e.g. made of PVC, and thedeveloper component is usually provided in a plastic bottle. To obtain aready to use hair color product, the hair dye component has to bedispensed into the bottle containing the developer component. The hairdye component and the developer component are blended in the bottlebefore applying to the hair.

As the hair colorant components, i.e. the hair dye component, thedeveloper component as well as “direct dyes” are relatively reactive thecontainer must be resistant to chemicals and must exhibit excellentbarrier properties.

Aluminium tubes meet these requirements due to thick metal walls incombination with protective lacquer, however, aluminium tubes or bottlesmade of plastic materials, e.g. PVC have the disadvantage of beingundesirable from an ecological point of view. In particular, themanufacturing process is energy and cost intensive and the weight of thepackage is relatively high, thus leading to higher transportation costs.Furthermore, from a functional point of view, due to thick walls andrigid neck portions these packages are hard to squeeze and to dispensecompletely, thus, leading to residual hair colorant component remainingin the package. In particular, bottles made of plastic materials canonly be used for low viscosity fluids.

Therefore, there is a need for providing an improved container forstoring hair colorant components, i.e. hair dye components as well asdeveloper components. In particular, the hair colorant container shallbe capable of providing safe dispensing/discharging of the hair colorantcomponent into a second container, like a bottle. The container shouldbe easy to hold and to be used in general and should be accessible bymanufacturing in a cost-saving and facile manner. In addition, thepackage should meet sustainability requirements, e.g. should exhibitecologically desirable properties in terms of production and disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a hair colorantcontainer in the form of a flexible sachet having a laminate structurefor storing a hair colorant component. The hair colorant containercomprises:

-   -   a reservoir with an internal volume for storing the hair        colorant component,    -   a pouring spout being in fluid communication with the internal        volume and having a dispensing end for dispensing the hair        colorant component,    -   the pouring spout being integrally formed with the reservoir and        projecting from an upper side of the reservoir and having an        elongated shape with a width being smaller than the width of the        reservoir, and    -   a removable tear tab at the dispensing end for sealing the        container before the container has been opened.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a packaged haircolorant product comprising such a hair colorant container and a haircolorant component stored in the internal volume of the reservoir.

In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a package kit forproviding a ready to use hair color product. The package kit comprises afirst and a second package wherein the first package is a hair colorantcontainer according to the invention that contains a hair dye component,and the second package is a bottle or a hair colorant containeraccording to the invention which contains a developer component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A hair colorant container according to the invention comprises areservoir with an internal volume and a pouring spout on the upper sideof the reservoir for dispensing, i.e. discharging the hair colorantcomponent stored in the reservoir. The pouring spout is integrallyformed with the reservoir and projects with an elongated shape from anupper edge, i.e. upper side of the reservoir. The width of the pouringspout is smaller than the width of the reservoir, whereby the pouringspout is insertable into a bottleneck of a second package. An inner flowchannel of the pouring spout is in fluid communication with the internalvolume of the reservoir.

In order to provide a tight seal prior to usage of the hair colorantcomponent a removable tear tab is placed at the dispensing end of thepouring spout.

As the width of the pouring spout is relatively small, a hair colorantcontainer with a relatively short tear distance is provided, so that thefingers of the user stay in control during the opening action, i.e. whenthe tear tab is being removed. In order to remove the tear tab thefingers of one hand rest below the dispensing end of the pouring spout,while the fingers of the other hand remove the tear tab.

The hair colorant container is made of a laminate structure resulting inthe flexibility characteristics of a sachet. The laminate structure ischemically resistant to the hair colorant component.

The sachet may be designed as a flat and reclined, i.e. pillow-typepouch, which is easy to store or as an upstanding pouch, i.e. with anupright configuration comprising a base for supporting the sachet in theupright position. A sachet with an upright position is advantageous tohandle, in particular, it can be set aside once the tear tab is removedwithout leakage of the hair colorant component.

The sachet may be made of one piece of a flexible laminate folded at onelongitudinal edge and joined, i.e. sealed together at the remaining openedges and thereby providing a so-called “three-sided seal”.

However, the laminate may also be folded at the two oppositelongitudinal edges and sealed at the backside of the container and,thus, providing a so-called “fin-seal”. The usage of one piece oflaminate which is folded at least at one outer longitudinal edge resultsin a reduction of laminate-material during the production process of thesachet.

However, a container with a “fin-seal” is preferred as the capacity ofthe container is increased. Further, as the longitudinal edges can beinflated more easily during the filling process, the filling speed ofthe hair colorant compound into the container can be increased, as well.

However, the flexible sachet may also be made of two pieces of flexiblelaminate which are stacked upon each other and joined, i.e. sealed, attheir outer circumference.

With respect to the reservoir, the pouring spout may be positionedsymmetrically, i.e. in the centre, or may be positioned asymmetrically.Preferably, the pouring spout is aligned with an outer longitudinal edgeof the reservoir that is folded along said edge.

Generally, the spout, i.e. the width of the spout, comprises a sealingportion and a flow channel portion. A symmetric, i.e. centric spoutcomprises two sealing portions and one flow channel portion, whereas aspout being aligned with the outer longitudinal edge comprises only onesealing portion and one flow channel portion as the sealing function onthe remaining side is provided by the folded edge of the laminate. Inorder to maximize the flow channel relative to a given spout diameter,the spout aligned with the outer edge is preferred, as it allows a widerflow channel and subsequently an easier dispensing/dischargingexperience.

The hair colorant container of the present invention is easy to handleand has decreased weight as compared to equivalent rigid containersmentioned in the state of the art. It requires, inter alia, lessmaterial as well as reduced amounts of energy for manufacturing andtransportation and, thus, meets sustainability and cost-reductionrequirements.

In order to obtain a ready to use hair color product suitable to beapplied to the hair of a consumer, a hair dye component has to be mixedwith a developer component. Preferably, the hair color product may be anoxidative hair color product, wherein the dye component is used incombination with a developer component comprising an oxidizing agent,i.e. oxidant, commonly a peroxy oxidizing agent. A package kit is thusprovided comprising a first and a second package containing the hair dyecomponent and the developer component, respectively. The first packageis a hair colorant container according to the invention and the secondpackage may be a hair colorant container, as well, or a bottle.Preferably, the second package is a bottle comprising a bottleneck withan opening.

The user is enabled to open the flexible sachet with the hair dyecomponent in an easy manner by clamping the sachet in the region of thepouring spout and by removing the tear tab. After opening the sachet,the hair dye component can be dispensed into the bottle by inserting thepouring spout into the opening of the bottleneck.

Preferably, the pouring spout has an outer perimeter which fits at leastover a defined section to an inner perimeter of the opening of thebottle for docking the sachet to the bottle. That means that the outerperimeter of the spout is adapted to the inner perimeter of the openingof the bottle so that at least a defined section of the outer wall ofthe spout lies against the inner wall of the bottleneck. Thisfacilitates an easy and safe dispensing/discharging action. Morepreferably, a friction fit between the outer wall of the pouring spoutand the inner wall of the bottleneck is provided such that the sachetreceives support from the bottle during the dispensing action.

Preferably, the outer perimeter of the pouring spout has a profile thatcan expand to an oval shape. Thus, a defined circumferential section ofthe outer wall of the spout does not lie against the inner wall of thebottleneck but leaves a passage open through which air may be releasedfrom the inside of the bottle during dispensing/discharging the hair dyecomponent. Therefore, fast and complete dispensing is allowed in anorderly fashion.

More preferably, the hair colorant container comprises an angled tearnotch cut between the dispensing end of the pouring spout and the teartab. When the spout gets inserted into the bottleneck in an essentiallyflattened condition the angled tear notch cut ensures that the top endof the spout has a width which is narrower than the internal bottleneckdiameter. The angle allows an easy insertion of the spout. Through thedocking action, the spout gets pushed against the inner wall of thebottleneck and facilitates the opening of the spout profile.

Preferably, the width of the reservoir is about 40% to about 60%, morepreferably of about 50% of its height and further preferably, the widthof the elongated shape of the pouring spout is about 40% to about 100%,more preferably of about 75% of its height.

In particular, the reservoir may have a width of about 5 cm to about 9cm and a height of about 11 cm to about 16 cm, whereas the pouring spoutmay have a width of about 1.5 cm to about 2.5 cm and a height of about1.5 cm to about 3 cm. More preferably, the external width of the pouringspout is about 1.6 cm and the internal width of the spout, i.e. of thewidth of the flow channel is about 1.4 cm.

Thus, on the one hand the internal flow channel of the pouring spout isas wide as possible to enable easy and fast dispensing, and, on theother hand, the spout width is in line with the opening diameter of abottle having a defined standard internal neck diameter of about 1.7 cmin which the spout has to be inserted in order to dispense the haircolorant component. These dimensions lead to a hair colorant containerwhich is easy to handle, e.g. easy to open and easy to insert into thebottle. In contrast thereto, aluminium tubes according to the state ofthe art typically have smaller spout diameters of about 1 cm. Inaddition, the tube spout is relatively short and can be inserted only ashort distance. This may lead to an uncontrolled movement of thealuminium tube spout during the dispensing action thereby increasing thepossibility of depositing the hair colorant component onto the innerwalls of the bottleneck or even slipping out of the neck and depositingthe hair colorant component onto the outside of the bottleneck.

The above-mentioned dimensions of the hair colorant container have theadvantage that a plurality of containers can be stored in a compact way.In particular, the hair colorant container can be packed into a boxalong with a second package, like a bottle, in a space-saving manner.

According to an embodiment, the hair colorant component is a hair dyecomponent, a developer component or a direct dye.

The hair colorant container is suitable to be used for storing a hairdye component, preferably an oxidative hair dye component, or adeveloper component comprising an oxidizing agent, commonly a peroxyoxidizing agent. However, the hair colorant container can also be usedfor storing so-called “direct-dyes”, which are ready to use and whichcan be applied to the hair directly. In particular, the laminatestructure is resistant to chemicals of the hair dye component as well asto the developer component. Further, the hair colorant container issuitable to be used for storing all kind of hair colorant components,i.e. low or high viscosity fluids, like liquids or pastes, i.e. cremes.Thus, a hair colorant container is provided which is capable ofreplacing, i.e. substituting both, an aluminium tube containing a hairdye component and a PVC bottle containing a developer component.

According to an embodiment the tear tab is integrally formed with thepouring spout.

Preferably, the tear tab is aligned with an outer edge of the pouringspout and extends in orthogonal direction to the outer edge of thepouring spout.

This embodiment provides an ergonomical design which enables the user toopen the container in a facile manner. The sachet exhibits an asymmetricshape and is preferably made of one piece of a flexible laminate foldedalong one longitudinal edge, the fold forming an alignment of thereservoir, spout and tear tab. In other words, the longitudinal edgeforming the alignment has no joint, which would decrease the width ofthe inner flow channel with respect to a given width of the spout. Thus,the width of the inner flow channel is maximized in relation to thewidth of a given internal opening of a second package into which thespout has to be inserted. The relatively large width of the inner flowchannel allows easier and faster dispensing and contributes to apositive experience for the user.

According to an embodiment, the hair colorant container comprises apre-defined tearing line between the tear tab and the dispensing end ofthe pouring spout along which the tear tab is teared when the containeris opened.

In order to facilitate opening of the container, i.e. in order to reducethe force required for tearing, a tearing aid may be provided at thedispensing end by means of a tear notch, perforations, laser scoring/cutfor tear guidance, orientation of individual material layers, e.g. useof easy tear films such as a polyethylene sealing layer, or use ofaluminium as a guidance material, for example. This allows for an easyinitiation as well as good control of the tear direction during opening.A tear notch, e.g. in form of a simple cut, triangular cut or semicircular cut creates a focus point for the applied force of the user andfacilitates initiation of the tear procedure.

However, design of the container allows for the use of accessories suchas scissors, blades or knifes may be used for opening, as well.Accordingly, cutting through the laminate structure of the sachetresults in defined edges.

According to an embodiment the pouring spout of the hair colorantcontainer comprises a grip zone on the outer surface of the pouringspout extending substantially along the complete width of the elongatedshape and adapted with its dimensions to the fingers of a user forclamping/holding the pouring spout with the fingers when the tear tab isremoved, thereby pressing opposite walls of the pouring spout togetherand, thus, providing protection against spill/splash, i.e. a spillprevention.

As the grip zone extends essentially along the complete width of theelongated shape of the spout and is adapted with its dimensions to thefingers of the user, the inner flow channel of the pouring spout can beblocked once the user clamps the pouring spout by means of his fingers.By clamping the pouring spout, opposite walls of the spout are pressedtogether thereby substantially preventing the hair colorant componentfrom spilling out of the reservoir when the tear tab is removed. Thus,the fingers of the user act as a temporary valve element.

By positioning the fingers in the manner described above, essentially nopressure is applied onto the reservoir that might lead to an immediatevolume change that increases the risk of spillage. To the contrary, thefingers of the user are directed to areas of the spout which do notcontain substantial amounts of hair colorant component when the sachetis held in an upright position, thereby preventing hair colorantcomponent movement enforced by pressure. The hand which is holding thepackage below the tear line acts as a valve by firmly holding the spoutthereby preventing substantial movement of the hair colorant component.Hence, a spill prevention as well as an easy-to-open sachet is provided.

In order to open the hair colorant container the following method may beapplied: The pouring spout is clamped at the grip zone with the fingersof a first hand of the user, thereby pressing opposite walls of thepouring spout together and providing spill prevention. The tear tab isthen removed from the dispensing end with the fingers of the secondhand. Importantly, the fingers of the first hand rest below an imaginarytear line that covers, preferably, the complete width of the pouringspout, and, therefore interact with the tear motion above the imaginarytear line in a scissor like way.

According to an embodiment, the hair colorant container comprises atleast one sealing element for reclosing the dispensing end of thepouring spout once the tear tab has been removed.

Preferably, the pouring spout is reclosable by folding and fixing thepouring spout at the outer surface of the reservoir by means of asealing element. The sealing element may be integrally formed with ormay be attached to the hair colorant container. Once the hair colorantcontainer is reclosed, the inner flow channel of the pouring spout issubstantially blocked, thereby preventing spillage of the hair colorantcomponent.

It is advantageous to provide reclosing features in view of therequirement to conduct an allergy test 24 hours before applying theready to use hair color product to the hair. In order to conduct anallergy test, the consumer removes a certain amount of the hair colorantcomponent out of the container and applies it to the skin in order toexamine if skin irritation occurs. In addition, some consumers prefernot to use the hair colorant component in a single dose, but rather in asplit dose, i.e. multi dose, e.g. for hairline dyeing. After conductingthe allergy test or after removing a certain amount of the hair colorantcomponent for other purposes, the consumer is able to reclose thecontainer in order to store the content in a safe manner. Further,exposure of the hair colorant component to air, and in particular tooxygen, is limited, thereby protecting the content of the sachet fromoxidation.

According to an embodiment the sealing element may be a wire tie, a hookand hook tape closure, a hook and loop tape closure, a snap and sealclosure, a non-permanent adhesive bonding tab, an external clip and/or asleeve, for example.

In case the sealing element is a wire tie, the wire tie is preferablyattached at the outer surface of the pouring spout and extends downwardsto and along a specific distance on the outer surface of the reservoir.Once the tear tab has been removed and the container has to be reclosed,the pouring spout can be folded along a folding line and flapped towardsthe reservoir. The tension of the wire tie keeps the pouring spout inthe folded up position.

A sealing element like a hook and hook tape closure, a hook and looptape closure or a snap and seal closure may consists of two elements,namely of a male and a female element, wherein one of the elements isattached at the outer surface of the pouring spout and the other one isattached at the outer surface of the reservoir, respectively. In orderto reclose the container, the pouring spout is folded along a foldingline and is secured at the reservoir. The male and female elementsengage and keep the pouring spout in the folded position.

On order to reclose the container by means of a sleeve, the pouringspout has to be folded and flapped against the reservoir. Then, thecontainer has to be inserted into the sleeve that prevents the pouringspout from unfolding.

According to an embodiment the pouring spout comprises at its innerperimeter at least one flow restrictor for restricting the flow of thehair colorant component when the component dispenses.

Preferably, the flow restrictor may be provided in case the haircolorant component stored in the reservoir has low viscosity, such asliquid hair dye components. By means of a flow restrictor the width ofthe inner flow channel is narrowed, thus, leading to spill preventionduring the opening action as well as to a limited flow rate of the haircolorant component when it dispenses. The pouring spout is still adaptedto the opening of a second package while providing a flow restrictionleading to a mess-free dispensing. In other words, by means of a flowrestrictor the same flow velocity can be provided for hair colorantcompounds with different viscosities.

The flow restrictor may have the shape of a recess, indentation, notchor bulge, for instance. The shape, i.e. geometry of the flow restrictoris adapted to the desired flow velocity of the hair colorant compound.The flow restrictor is easy to integrate into the pouring spout.Preferably, the flow restrictor may be provided by means of removableand exchangeable sealing bars integrated in the manufacturing tools.

According to an embodiment, the at least one flow restrictor is formedas a bulge projecting inside the pouring spout.

Such a bulge projects inside the inner flow channel, thereby limitingthe flow-through passage within the pouring spout.

According to an embodiment, at least two bulges are formed in astaggered arrangement.

The staggered arrangement of the at least two bulges further limits theflow rate of the hair colorant component. The bulges may be arranged inan overlapping or in a non-overlapping manner. An overlappingarrangement provides a further limitation of the flow rate.

According to an embodiment, the laminate structure of the hair colorantcontainer comprises at least three layers, preferably four layers.

The hair colorant container is made of a laminate material comprising amulti-layer structure. The different layers may have diverse propertiescontributing to the overall property of the laminate. For example, thelaminate material may comprise three layers, namely a sealing layer, abarrier layer and a protective layer. The barrier layer may be made ofplastic material or aluminium, both having excellent barrier properties.

Preferably, at least one layer of the laminate structure is made ofplastic material, preferably of polyethylene or polypropylene. Theplastic material typically consists of polymers of high molecular mass,and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reducecosts. The polymers are made from monomers which may be either naturalor synthetic organic compounds. Plastic materials, such as polyethyleneor polypropylene, are advantageous materials as they provide sufficientmechanical strength to withstand mechanical stress caused, for example,by transportation, handling and storage under varying temperature andmoisture conditions. Furthermore, hair colorant containers made ofplastic materials, preferably of polyethylene or polypropylene, have alow net weight and, therefore, permit a reduction in transportationcosts compared to equivalent rigid containers.

Moreover, at least one of the plastic layers may be produced by means ofan extrusion foaming process. The extrusion foaming process results inan increased thickness of the plastic layer without increasing materialconsumption, and, thus, resolving the conflict between the need toreduce weight and material use on the one hand and to improve thethickness of the container wall on the other hand.

According to an embodiment, the laminate structure of the hair colorantcontainer comprises three layers, wherein

-   -   the first layer facing the inside of the container comprises        polyethylene or ethylene acrylic acid polymer or ethylene        methacrylic acid polymer or combinations thereof;    -   the second layer following the first layer comprises aluminium;        and    -   the third layer following the second layer and facing the        outside of the container comprises polyamide or polyester,        preferably polyethylenterephthalat, or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the first layer comprises polyethylene and about 5 wt % toabout 10 wt % ethylene methacrylic acid polymer or polyethylene andabout 5 wt % to about 10 wt % ethylene acrylic acid polymer. Suchcomposition of materials contributes to improved bonding properties withthe aluminium, i.e. barrier layer. This composite of layers results in asignificant reduction of corrosion and/or migration of particles of thehair colorant component, like dye pigments, surfactants and aqueousammonia solution. Preferably, the first and the second layer are joinedtogether by means of extrusion lamination. This results in a laminatestructure being sufficiently resistant against both, chemical, e.g.oxidation, and mechanical stress.

Furthermore, the first layer may be produced by means of an extrusionfoaming process. The foaming process results in an increased thicknessof the first layer without increasing material consumption.

According to an embodiment, the laminate structure of the hair colorantcontainer comprises four layers, wherein:

-   -   the first layer facing the inside of the container comprises        polyethylene or ethylene acrylic acid polymer or ethylene        methacrylic acid polymer or combinations thereof;    -   the second layer following the first layer comprises        polyethylene or ethylene acrylic acid polymer or combinations        thereof;    -   the third layer following the second layer comprises aluminium;        and    -   the fourth layer following the third layer and facing the        outside of the container comprises polyamide, polyester,        preferably polyethylenterephthalat, or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the first layer is a polyethylene layer and may have athickness of about 70 μm to about 100 μm. The first layer may beproduced by means of an extrusion foaming process. The foaming processresults in an increased thickness of the layer using the same amount ofplastic material.

The second layer may have a thickness of about 18 μm to about 25 μm andcomprises polyethylene and ethylene methacrylic acid polymer orpolyethylene and ethylene methacrylic acid polymer. The aluminium layer,i.e. the third layer, acts as a barrier layer and may have a thicknessof about 9 μm. The specific composition of the second layer contributesto improved bonding properties with the aluminium layer. Such compositeof layers results in significant reduction of corrosion and/or migrationof particles of the hair colorant component, like dye pigments,surfactants and aqueous ammonia solution.

Preferably, the first, the second and the third layer are joinedtogether by means of extrusion lamination. Such a laminate structureresults in sufficient chemical and mechanical stress resistance.

The fourth layer may be made of polyamide with a thickness of about 5 μmor of polyethylenterephthalat with a thickness of about 12 μm.Preferably, the fourth layer is joined to the third layer by means ofadhesive lamination. Preferably, the overall thickness of the laminatematerial is about 100 μm to about 150 μm.

Further, the fourth layer may comprise a printing applied on the surfacefacing the aluminium layer so that the printing is protected againstabrasion. As the fourth layer has transparent appearance, the printingcan still be seen from the outside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail below with reference toillustrative embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a back view of an embodiment of the hair colorantcontainer;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of another embodiment of the hair colorantcontainer with a snap and seal closure as a sealing element;

FIG. 3 shows the front view of another embodiment of the hair colorantcontainer with a wire tie as a sealing element;

FIG. 4 shows the front view of another embodiment of the hair colorantcontainer with a hook and loop tape closure as a sealing element; and

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the hair colorant container with aflow restrictor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AS SHOWN IN THE EMBODIMENTS OF THEDRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a hair colorant container 10 in the form of a flexiblesachet for storing a hair colorant component, i.e. a hair dye component,a developer component or a “direct-dye”. The container 10 comprises areservoir 12 with an internal volume 13, a pouring spout 14 being influid communication with the internal volume 13 and having a dispensingend 16 and a removable tear tab 18. The tear tab 18 is attached at thedispensing end 16 for sealing the container 10 before the container 10has been opened.

The pouring spout 14 and the tear tab 18 are integrally formed with thereservoir 12 and are aligned at one outer longitudinal edge 30 of thereservoir 12. The pouring spout 14 projects from an upper side 20 of thereservoir 10 and has an elongated shape with a width 22 being smallerthan the width 24 of the reservoir 10. The tear tab 18 is placed at thedispensing end 16 in a perpendicular manner with respect to the pouringspout 14.

Further, the pouring spout 14 comprises a grip zone 26 which extendssubstantially along the width 22 of the spout 14 and is adapted with itsdimensions to the fingers of a user. Thus, the user is enabled to openthe container 10 in an easy manner by clamping the container 10 in theregion of the pouring spout 14, namely at the grip zone 26 and therebyproviding a spill prevention. By clamping the pouring spout 14, thefingers of the user act as a temporary valve element. Opposite walls ofthe spout 14 are pressed together thereby substantially preventing thehair colorant component from spilling out of the reservoir 12 when thetear tab 18 is being removed.

After opening the container 10, the hair colorant component can bedispensed into a second package, like a bottle, to provide a ready mixedhair color product.

In order to facilitate the removal of the tear tab 18, a pre-definedtearing line 28 between the tear tab 18 and the dispensing end 16 of thepouring spout 14 is provided. The pre-defined tearing line 28 may beprovided by means of a tear notch, perforations, laser scoring/cut fortear guidance, specific orientation of individual material layers, e.g.the use of easy tear films, such as a polyethylene layer, or the use ofaluminium as a guidance material, for example. This allows an easy tearinitiation as well as a controlled tear direction. The container 10according to FIG. 1 shows a tear notch 36 which creates a focus pointfor the applied force of the user and makes it easier to initiate thetear.

The width 24 of the reservoir 12 is about 6.5 cm and the height 38 ofthe reservoir 12 is about 11 cm, whereas the pouring spout 14 has awidth 22 of about 1.6 cm and a height 40 of about 3 cm. The internalwidth of the spout 14, i.e. of the flow channel 42 is about 1.4 cm.Thus, on the one hand the internal flow channel 42 of the pouring spout14 is as wide as possible to enable easy and fast dispensing, and, onthe other hand, the spout width 22 is in line with the opening diameterof a bottle having a defined standard internal neck diameter of about1.7 cm in which the spout 14 has to be inserted in order to dispense thehair colorant component.

The outer perimeter of the pouring spout 14 has a profile that expandsto an oval shape. Thus, a defined section of the outer wall of the spout14 does not lie against the inner wall of the bottleneck but leaves apassage open through which air may be released from the inside of thebottle during dispensing/discharging the hair dye component. Therefore,a fast, complete and mess free dispensing is allowed.

When the spout 14 gets inserted into the bottleneck in a most flatcondition the angled tear notch cut 36 ensures that the top end of thespout 14 has a width 22 which is narrower than the internal bottleneckdiameter. The angled notch 36 allows an easy insertion of the spout 14.

Through the docking action, the spout 14 gets pushed against the innerwall of the bottleneck and facilitates the opening of the spout profile.

The container 10 is made of a flexible laminate structure 44 whichcomprises at least three layers, preferably four layers. The laminate 44of the present embodiment has a thickness of about 100 μm to about 150μm and comprises four layers.

The first layer facing the inner volume 13 of the container 10 is apolyethylene layer and has a thickness of about 70 μm to about 100 μm.The first layer is produced by means of an extrusion foaming process.

The second layer following the first layer has a thickness of about 18μm to about 25 μm and comprises polyethylene and ethylene methacrylicacid polymer or polyethylene and ethylene methacrylic acid polymer.

The third layer is made of aluminium and acts as a barrier layer. Thealuminium layer has a thickness of about 9 μm.

The first, the second and the third layer are joined together by meansof extrusion lamination. Such a laminate structure 44 results insufficient chemical and mechanical stress resistance.

The fourth layer is made of polyamide with a thickness of about 5 μm orof polyethylenterephthalat with a thickness of about 12 μm. The fourthlayer comprises a printing applied on the surface facing the aluminiumlayer and is joined to the third layer by means of adhesive lamination.

The laminate structure 44 of the present embodiment shows substantiallyno corrosion and/or migration of particles of the hair colorantcomponent, like dye pigments, surfactants and aqueous ammonia solution.

The laminate 44 is folded at the two opposite longitudinal edges 30, 31of the container 10 and sealed at the backside and provide a so-called“fin-seal” 34. As the pouring spout 14 is aligned with the outerlongitudinal edge 30 of the reservoir 12, the spout 14 comprises onesealing portion 46 and one flow channel portion 42 as the sealingfunction on the remaining side 30 is provided by the folded edge of thelaminate 44. Such a design results in a maximized flow channel 42relative to a given spout diameter.

The hair colorant containers 10 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 comprise a sealingelement 48, respectively, for reclosing the dispensing end 16 of thepouring spout 14 once the tear tab 18 has been removed. The pouringspout 14 is reclosable by folding and fixing the pouring spout 14 at theouter surface of the reservoir 12 by means of the sealing element 48.Once the hair colorant container 10 is reclosed, the inner flow channel42 of the pouring spout 14 is substantially blocked, thereby preventingspillage of the hair colorant component.

The sealing element 48 shown in FIG. 2 is a snap and seal closure 50,whereas the sealing element 48 shown in FIG. 3 is a wire tie 52 and thesealing element 48 shown in FIG. 4 is a hook and loop tape closure 54.

According to FIG. 2, the wire tie 52 is attached at the outer surface ofthe pouring spout 14 and extends downwards to and along a specificdistance on the outer surface of the reservoir 12. Once the tear tab 18has been removed and the container 10 has to be reclosed, the pouringspout 14 can be folded along a folding line and flapped towards thereservoir 12. The tension of the wire tie 52 keeps the pouring spout 14in the folded up position.

The hook and loop tape closure 54 (cp. FIG. 3) and the snap and sealclosure 50 (cp. FIG. 4) consist of two elements 56, 58, namely of a male56 and a female element 58, wherein one of the elements 56, 58 isattached at the outer surface of the pouring spout 14 and the other oneis attached at the outer surface of the reservoir 12, respectively. Inorder to reclose the container 10, the pouring spout 14 is folded alongthe folding line and is secured at the reservoir 12. The male and femaleelements 56, 58 engage and keep the pouring spout 14 in the foldedposition.

FIG. 5 shows a hair colorant container 10 comprising a flow restrictor60 at the inner perimeter 62 of the pouring spout 14. The flowrestrictor 60 is provided in case the hair colorant component stored inthe reservoir 12 has low viscosity, such as liquid hair dye components.By means of the flow restrictor 60 the width of the inner flow channel42 is narrowed, thus, leading to spill prevention during the openingaction as well as to a limited flow rate of the hair colorant componentwhen it dispenses. The flow restrictor 60 has the shape of two bulges 64projecting inside the pouring spout 14 in a staggered manner.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   10 hair colorant container    -   12 reservoir    -   13 internal volume    -   14 pouring spout    -   16 dispensing end    -   18 removable tear tab    -   20 upper side of the reservoir    -   22 width of the spout    -   24 width of the reservoir    -   26 grip zone    -   28 pre-defined tearing line    -   30 outer longitudinal edge    -   32 other outer longitudinal edge    -   34 fin seal    -   36 tear notch    -   38 height of the reservoir    -   40 height of the pouring spout    -   42 flow channel    -   44 laminate    -   46 sealing portion of the spout    -   48 sealing element    -   50 snap and seal closure    -   52 wire tie    -   54 hook and loop tape closure    -   56 male element    -   58 female element    -   60 flow restrictor    -   62 inner perimeter of the pouring spout    -   64 bulges

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair colorant container in the form of aflexible sachet having a laminate structure for storing a hair colorantcomponent comprising: a reservoir with an internal volume for storingthe hair colorant component, a pouring spout being in fluidcommunication with the internal volume and having a dispensing end fordispensing the hair colorant component, the pouring spout beingintegrally formed with the reservoir and projecting from an upper sideof the reservoir and having an elongated shape with a width beingsmaller than the width of the reservoir, and a removable tear tab at thedispensing end for sealing the container before the container has beenopened.
 2. A hair colorant container according claim 1, wherein the haircolorant component is a component selected from the group consisting ofa hair dye component, a developer component, a direct dye.
 3. A haircolorant container according to claim 1, wherein the tear tab isintegrally formed with the pouring spout.
 4. A hair colorant containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the hair colorant container comprises apre-defined tearing line between the tear tab and the dispensing end ofthe pouring spout along which the tear tab is teared when the containeris opened.
 5. A hair colorant container according to claim 1, whereinthe pouring spout comprises a grip zone extending substantially alongthe width of the elongated shape and being adapted with its dimensionsto the fingers of a user for clamping the pouring spout with the fingerswhen the tear tab is removed, thereby pressing opposite walls of thepouring spout together and providing a spill prevention.
 6. A haircolorant container according to claim 1, wherein the container comprisesat least one sealing element for reclosing the dispensing end of thepouring spout once the tear tab has been removed.
 7. A hair colorantcontainer according to claim 6, wherein the sealing element is anelement selected from the group consisting of a wire tie, hook and hooktape closure, hook and loop tape closure, snap and seal closure,non-permanent adhesive bonding tab, an external clip, a sleeve.
 8. Ahair colorant container according to claim 1, wherein the pouring spoutcomprises at its inner perimeter at least one flow restrictor forrestricting the flow of the hair colorant component when it dispenses.9. A hair colorant container according to claim 8, wherein the at leastone flow restrictor is formed as a bulge projecting inside the pouringspout.
 10. A hair colorant container according to claim 9, wherein atleast two bulges are formed in a staggered arrangement.
 11. A haircolorant container according to claim 1, wherein the laminate structureof the hair colorant container comprises at least three layers.
 12. Ahair colorant container according to claim 1, wherein the laminatestructure of the hair colorant container comprises at least four layers.13. A hair colorant container according to claim 11, wherein thelaminate structure of the hair colorant container comprises threelayers, wherein the first layer facing the inside of the containercomprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene,ethylene acrylic acid polymer, ethylene methacrylic acid polymer, andcombinations thereof; the second layer following the first layercomprises aluminium; and the third layer following the second layer andfacing the outside of the container comprises a material selected fromthe group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyethylenterephthalat,and combinations thereof.
 14. A hair colorant container according toclaim 12, wherein the laminate structure of the hair colorant containercomprises four layers, wherein: the first layer facing the inside of thecontainer comprises a material selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, ethylene acrylic acid polymer, ethylene methacrylic acidpolymer, and combinations thereof; the second layer following the firstlayer comprises a material selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, ethylene acrylic acid polymer, ethylene methacrylic acidpolymer, and combinations thereof; the third layer following the secondlayer comprises aluminium; and the fourth layer following the thirdlayer and facing the outside of the container comprises a materialselected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester,polyethylenterephthalat, and combinations thereof.
 15. A packaged haircolorant product comprising a hair colorant container according to claim1 and a hair colorant component stored in the internal volume of thereservoir.
 16. A package kit for providing a ready to use hair colorproduct comprising a hair colorant container according to claim 1 as afirst package containing a hair dye component and a second packagecontaining a developer component.
 17. A package kit according to claim16, wherein the second package is a hair colorant container according toclaim
 1. 18. A package kit according to claim 16, wherein the secondpackage is a bottle.